Lady DJs Lady Marmalade spread thanks for the breast unit

The troupe is led by Jules Easlea and her co-hosts Kelly Brennan and Pauline Godfrey. They will be joined by a swathe of female music lovers, including music author Zoe Howe, fitness guru Ondie Woods, musician Angel Melodyhorn, Sundown Art's Jo Overfield and Ray Morgan as 'Peg Bags', DJ Suezy Sue and I'm honoured to say yours truly. 

Jules (DJ name: Mama MAS) usually works behind the scenes at the popular MAS events, while the usual resident DJs - the Very Rev Daryl Easlea, Curly Dan Newman, Beardy Al Johnson and Grandmaster Adam - entertain the crowds.

Kelly and Pauline became friends after first meeting in the waiting room at the breast clinic three years ago. It was the first day Pauline was diagnosed, while Kelly was there for a random check up. The pair have since DJ’d at few local events.

The night takes place on Friday March 9, at Strictly Smartz in Elm Road, Leigh.

I caught up with Jules to ask about why she came up with the idea, and what to expect from the night:

You usually seem more involved in the organisation as opposed to being on the decks at the MAS gigs. What made you decide to ask the usual DJs to step aside so you could lead this all-girl DJ gang to play?

Yes, I am usually backstage as it were but over the years, I have seen the enormous pleasure the gents get from DJing, and the delight of the crowd, whether at Village Green or Middle Age Spread, when a tune they love is played, and both are incredibly infectious. It’s a wonderful thing to be able to move people, and music is such a powerful way to spread happiness.

I adore dancing with the Spreaders who have supported us over the years and are now familiar faces and friends. I thought all that positive energy could be put to a good use.

I knew there were a few women out there who loved to DJ too, some of them have played at Record Store Day when Middle Age Spread lay on the Dansette Disco, but they had no real opportunity to DJ a big night. So, when I saw Kelly Brennan and Pauline Godfrey playing one night at Birdwood cafe in Leigh, the plan was hatched and the three of us organised Lady Marmalade.

It’s a funny thing that most DJs do seem to be male, most people who work in music shops seem to be male and an awful of the music industry is male. I think they love the detail: the names of band members, catalogue numbers, the smell of vinyl, the cover art, etc.

My husband’s (Daryl Easlea) passion for music is unquenchable; he has musical knowledge flowing through his veins and he brings all of that to the Spread as do Curly Dan, Beardy Al and Grandmaster Adam. So, I think a night of all-women will be different to the men but just as much fun as we are all pretty music-literate.

This happens the day after National Women’s Day on March 8. Was this intentional and what, therefore, is your message?

Yes, it seemed appropriate. Having a daughter, I do want to see positive change in the way women across the world are treated. I have been incredibly lucky in my life and have never experience any prejudice, violence or discrimination as a woman. I also have remarkable role models in my family, my mother, my sister, my sister-in-law, my mother-in-law, my seven aunts, all of whom have helped shape me.

I see International Women’s Day as celebratory and a moment to reflect on our good fortune and try to alleviate other women’s misfortune.

Can you tell us a bit about the cause you have chosen to fundraise for please and what you hope the funds will do?

All profits from Lady Marmalade are going to the Southend Hospital Breast Unit. Sadly, far too many people I know, myself included, have passed through its doors and this is my way of saying ‘thank you’ for their care and attention.

We are inviting the nurses from the unit along to dance with us as they deserve a good time. I have three doctors in my family and know several nurses. I could not be prouder of any of them. I think the NHS is our greatest national treasure and we take it for granted at our peril, so I hope that the funds we raise will help more women receive the care they need, and let the nurses and doctors know that we are grateful.

What can people expect from this night?

This is most definitely a celebratory night and we want everyone to have a great time. Everyone is welcome, we want to be inclusive so it’s not just a ladies night. Bring your partners, husbands, brothers and most importantly your dancing shoes.

We have a splendid line-up of local women DJing at Lady Marmalade. There’s fabulous fitness guru Ondie Woods, the poetic Ray Morgan and Jo Overfield from Sundown Arts DJing as ‘Peg Bags’, the divine author and artist Zoë Howe, the Indie Queen Suezy Sue, the legend that is Angel Melodyhorn, my co-hosts the amazing Kelly Brennan and Pauline Godfrey and me – I am Mama MAS! You can expect an eclectic mix of hard core dance, a dash of mellow Motown, a little Latin boogaloo, some upbeat pop and moody indie plus a topping of funk and soul.

Some of us have never put a needle to a record (or lined up a CD track, or put together a playlist) in front of a crowd before but we’re all really excited to give it a go for such a good cause. The MAS gents are helping and will be on door duty on the night so massive thanks to them for their support.

* At the time of writing the tickets have nearly all sold out. Visit the Middle Age Spread group on Facebook for information about returns.